Michael Paul Baird – affectionately known as Mike, Uncle Mike, Mikey P, and Judge Baird of Eatonton, Georgia – passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 11, 2025, after an 8-month battle with Cholangiocarcinoma cancer.
He fought a courageous battle, maintaining his kindness, compassion, and love for family and friends to the very end. Mike inherited his father’s analytical mind and his mother’s warmth, compassion, and friendly personality.
He never met a stranger, and he made our lives brighter just by being in them. His happy place was Lake Sinclair, and his favorite hobbies were traveling, boating, and entertaining friends and family.
Mike was a true public servant. Mike served as a police officer from 1986 to 1990 and subsequently graduated from Georgia State University College of Law in June 1992.
Upon graduation, he opened a general practice law firm in Morrow, GA.
In July of 1993, he joined the Clayton County Solicitor’s Office. In 1996, he was elected Chief Judge of the Magistrate Court of Jonesboro, GA, serving in this role from 1997 to 2004. He then served as a judge in the Municipal Court of Jonesboro, GA for several years. In August of 2006, Mike accepted a Senior District Attorney position in the Appalachian Judicial Circuit.
In April of 2009, Mike was appointed by the Attorney General of the United States to serve as an Immigration Judge with the US Department of Justice. In 2020, Mike was appointed to serve as an Appellate Immigration Judge on the Board of Immigration Appeals.
He loved being a judge and excelled in the role. He was kind, courteous, and professional to all.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at Sharon Church in McDonough, Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Red Cross, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or plant a tree in remembrance of Mike.
Moores Funeral Home & Crematory has charge of arrangements.